Seaside Eatery Reels You In

May 21, 2017

Story By: Christina O Connor |

As Harbor Restaurant at Pier 38 celebrates its one-year anniversary this month, executive chef Rob McDaniel says that things at the ocean-side eatery are on the up and up.

In its short time since opening, Harbor Restaurant has become a popular place to celebrate special occasions, gather for happy hour or simply indulge in the Mediterranean-influenced steak and seafood options.

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Harbor’s parent company is POP Fishing & Marine and the eatery is located right by Honolulu Fish Auction — meaning that it has fresh fish coming in daily.

For a taste of those fresh catches, there’s Togarashi Spiced Ahi Salad ($24), which features a piece of local ahi accented with Japanese chili pepper seasoning over a bed of romaine lettuce — all drizzled with a creamy sesame aioli made in house.

Part of what sets Harbor Restaurant’s cuisine apart is its brasa grills, which use kiawe-charcoal.

“They are kind of like an oven, grill and smoker all combined,” explains McDaniel.

For a sweet finish to any meal, there’s Tiramisu ($10).

“It’s a traditional tiramisu, only our twist on it is with macadamia nuts,” adds the chef. “There are freshly toasted mac nuts that are layered in throughout, so you get that little bit of crunch.”

BRASA-KISSED FAVES

For a taste of what can come out of the rare brasa grills at Harbor Restaurant at Pier 38, there’s Brasa Grilled Marsala Chicken ($24 lunch, $28 dinner). The dish features chicken breast with crimini mushrooms, spinach, garlic, shallots and onion, all over linguine dressed up in a light cream sauce.